Feed mechanism for sewing machines



May 31, 1938. G. SAUER ET AL FEED MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 30, 1955 E g s, Q A (q W1 TNESSES:

INVENTORS qwryc fiauzrh Clamme 6.512231%,

7 WORNEYS.

May 31, 1938. G. SAUER ET AL 2,119,492

FEED MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Nov. 50, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2WITNESSES: 51 A INVENTORS:

6 .Ge ryeSauerALCZaTenceCSIaitk,

BY I"! I WQMZM/ ATTORNEYS May 31, 1938. R ET AL 2,119,492

FEED MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Nov. 50, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3WITNESSEL IN VEN TORS:

A TTORNEYS.

Patented May 31, 1938 UNITED STATES- FEED MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINESGeorge Sauer, Berwyn, and Clarence C. Smith,

Chicago, Ill., assignors to Union Special Machine Company, Chicago,111., a corporation of Illinois Application November 30, 1935, SerialNo. 52,306

17 Claims.

This invention relates to feed mechanism for sewing machines; and it ismore especially concerned with means for adjusting such mechanism.

The aim of our invention is to enable quick and accurate adjustment offeed mechanism of sewing machines, particularly reversible feedmechanism such as disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,035,508 granted onMarch 31, 1936 to the present .applicants embodying arotativelyshiftable shaft capable of regulation to determine formationeither forwards or backwards of stitches of different lengths.

The foregoing objective we realize in practice, as hereinafter morefully disclosed, through provision of an adjusting-means wherein, toeffect reversals of the feed mechanism and variations in stitch length,a fixed abutment member having an opening with side edges at an angle toeach other cooperates with a stop member movable from side to side froma central neutral position in said opening as well as toward and awayfrom the apex of the angle; and wherein an indexing means visiblyindicates the length of the stitches formed for the different settingsof the mechanism.

Other objects and attendant advantages will appear from the followingdescription of the drawings, wherein Fig. I is a fragmentary plan viewconveniently embodying the feed adjusting means of our invention,portions of the frame of the machine having been broken out to exposeparts which would otherwise be hidden.

-Fig. H is a fragmentary side elevation of the machine.

Figs. III and IV are fragmentary detail sectional views taken asindicated respectively by the arrows III-III and IVIV-in Fig. II.

Figs. V, VI and VII are detail views showing the adjusting means indifferent positions of adjustment; and

Fig.- VIII is a view corresponding to Fig. II showing an alternativeembodiment of our invention.

- With more detailed reference first more particularly to Figs. I and 11of these illustrations, I designates the bed plate or work support ofthe machine. Rising from the work support at one end, is the usualhollow standard 2 wherewith is integrally formed thehorizontal arm 3which overhangs said work support, and in which is journaled the mainshaft 4 of the machine having a combined hand and belt wheel 5 securedto its projecting rear end.

The reversible feed mechanism herein shown is generally of theconstruction featured in the patent hereinbefore referred to and, asshown, comprises a feed shaft 6 which is suitably journaled beneath thework support I, and which is actuated, through interposed driveconnections (not illustrated) from the main shaft 4. Mounted on theshaft 6 is an eccentric 1, having associated therewith, a strap rod 8composed of two telescoping parts or components 8a and 8b of which thelatter is connected by a screw 9 to a yoked rocker I on a shaft I Ihaving its ends journaled in spaced pendant bearing lugs-I2 and I3 ofthe work support I. The rear end of the feed bar designated I4 ispivotally connected at I "to the swinging end of the rocker I0 while atits forward end, said bar carries the usual feed dog I6, of which thetoothed portions operate in slots I! of the throat plate l8 of themachine. The eccentric I is thus instrumental, through the strap rod 8,the rocker I0, and the bar I4, in imparting the back and forth feedmovements to the feed dog I6. Another eccentric I9 on the shaft 6functions, through its strap 20, to impart the necessary up and down orhit movements to the feed bar I4 exactly as described in Patent No.2,035,508, hereinbefore referred to. Also journaled beneath the worksupport I and extending parallel with the shaft 6, is a feed regulatingshaft 2I whereof the right hand end extends into an oil reservoir 22immediately beneath and communicating with the hollow of the standard 2.To the left hand end of the regulating shaft 2I is secured an armcentric strap rod 8. By rotatively shifting the shaft 2| in oppositedirections to different set positions, it is possible to reverse theaction of the feed mechanism as well as to effect variations in thedirection and length of the feed stroke of the feed dog I6 exactly asdescribed in Patent No. 2,035,508.

The feed control means 'wi'th'which this invention is more especiallyconcerned, includes a control shaft 26 extending transversely of thehollow of the standard 2 as shown in Fig. I. Clamped to this controlshaft 26 within. the standard 2 is an arm 21, which, by means of a link28, is coupled with an arm 29 clamped to-the inner end of the regulatingshaft 2!. As shown,-the control shaft 26 extends to the exterior througha bearing boss 30 on the front wall 3| of the hollow standard 2, and toits protruding end is 'a'fiixed a control device having the form of alever 32 with a roughened finger grasp 33. The hub 34 of the controllever 32 is comparatively large and is formed with a frontal opencircular hollow 35, see Fig. III. Free on the control shaft 26 withinthe hollow 35 of the lever 32 is an adjusting member in the form of aneccentrically disposed circular cam 36 preferably with a finely serratedcircumferential edge 31, see Fig. V. The hollow 35 of the lever hub 34is closed by a circumferentially knurled discous dial 38 with numberedcircumferential graduations for coordination with a pointer 39 on thecontrol lever 32 to indicate the stitch lengths for differentadjustments of the cam 36, said dial being connected to the cam by adowel pin 40 and being held in place by a headed screw 4| threaded intothe end of the control shaft 26. Axial shifting of the control shaft 261 is prevented through engagement of the diametrically reduced portion42 of the hub 34 on the manipulating lever 32 with the outer face of thebearing boss 39, and by a collar 43 on said shaft within the hollow ofthe standard 2, between which collar and the inner face of said bearingboss, is introduced a friction washer 44. -Disposed in a longitudinalbore 45 of the manipulating lever 32 is a plunger pin 46 (Fig. III)which is yieldingly urged downward by a spring 41 whereof the upper endabuts a screw 49 threaded into the top of the bore for maintenance ofthe chisel end 50 of said pin in engagement with the serrated edge 31 ofthe cam 36. 2 by screws 5| is an abutment member in the form of a plate52 which is apertured to fit about the reduced portion 42 of the leverhub 34, said plate having an opening 53 above the control shaft 26 withside edges 55 and 56 at an angle to each other and converging away fromsaid shaft. Into the opening 53 of the plate 52 extends a cooperativestop 51 projecting laterally from the plunger pin 46. Asshown in Fig.III, the stop 51 is in the form of a stud which is secured in place by ascrew 58 axially in the top of the plunger pin 46. From Fig. III it willmoreover be noted that the stud 51 is flattened for engagement againstrotation in a longitudinal guide slot 59 at the back of the controllever 32.

To adjust the feed mechanism, the dial 38 is rotated in one direction orthe other with attendant shifting of the stop projection 51 under theaction of the cam 36 up or down along the control lever 32 and toward oraway from the apex of the angular opening 53 in the abutment plate.Obviously, by such shifting of the stop projection 51 the extent ofswing allowed the control lever 32 will be either increased or decreasedby virtue of the upward convergence of the stop edges 55 and 56 of theplate 52, with consequent impartation of correspondingly variedmovements'to the regulating shaft 2| through the control shaft 26 andthe interposedconnections 21, 28, 29, and change in the feed stroke ofthe feed dog l6. By coordination of the graduations on the dial 38 withthe pointer 39 on the control lever 32, a definite stitch length fordifferent settings of the feed mechanism will be indicated. As thecontrol lever 32 is swung to the right of a central vertical neutralposition in respect to the opening in the abutment plate as in Fig. V,the feeding will be forward, while when said lever is swung to the leftas in Fig. VI, the action of the feed mechanism will be reversed withoutchange however in the stitch length. In Figs. V and VI, the cam 36 isadjusted for the purpose of exemplification, with the stop 51 positionedlow on the control lever 32 for determination of relatively largestitches; whereas in Fig. VII said desired variation of stitch, length.

' around the dial.

Aflixed to the side of the standard cam is positioned with the stopprojection high on the control lever for determination of relativelysmall stitches. For use with the form of adjusting cam 36 shown in Figs.I-VII, the graduations on the dial are preferably finely spaced andconsecutively numbered in opposite directions from a zero point todefinitely indicate the different stitch lengths.

In order to prevent accidental disturbance of the feed mechanism inadjusted positions, we have provided a brake means to frictionallyengage the regulating shaft 2|. As shown in Figs. II and IV, this brakemeans is in the form of a split clamp 66 with an upward shank projection6| engaging an opening 62 in the work support of the sewing machine, thefrictional restraint imposed upon the regulating shaft 2| by the clampbeing adjustable by means of a screw 63.

When a finer feed stroke is desired, we provide an adjusting cam ofspiral configuration such as shown at 36a in Fig. VIII, whereofsubstantially the whole periphery can be utilized to effect the In thisinstance, the graduations are equally spaced to definitely indicatestitch lengths as in the first embodiment, but the numbering iscontinuous In order to preclude the necessity for repetitivedescription, all other elements in the alternative embodiment of Fig.VIII having their counterparts in thedescribed embodiment, have beenidentified by the same reference characters except for the addition ineach instance of the letter at for the purpose of distinction.

The adjusting cams herein shown are to be considered as typical of othershapes, which, with in the scope of the appended claims, can be utilized to effect changes in the stitch lengths as may be desired. It isalso to be understood that the arrangement of the indicia on the dialsmay be arbitrary, instead of being arranged to definitely indicate thestitch lengths as hereinbefore described. By substitution of a shorterarm for the arm 21 it is possible to arrange the feed mechanism foroperation always in one direction and still vary the stitch length withthe aid of our improved control means. As another alternative in'thearrangement of the mechanism, the arms '21 and 29 may be shifted on therespective shafts,

so that a longer stitch will be formed when the control lever is swungto one side of its neutral position than when it is swung to the otherside of said neutral position. For example, with the regulating shaft 2|in neutral position, by shifting the arm. 21 rearward (Fig. I) axiallyofthe shaft 26 without change in its angular position in relation to thelatter, or by shiftingthe arm 29 leftward (Fig. II) axially of the shaft2| (with incidental change in the relative position of the the fixedstop 55 is increased. As a consequence,

when the lever 33 is swung to the right, a shorter stitch will be'formedthan when it is swung to the left. Similarly, shifting of the arm 21forward (Fig. I) axially of the shaft 26, or the arm 29 rightward (Fig.II) axially of the shaft 2|, it is possible to determine an angularneutral position for the control lever 33 to the. left of the vertical.By the latter change, a shorter stitch will be formed whenthe'controllever is swung to the left in respect to the neutral as far as permittedby the fixedstop 55. and a longer stitch formed when said lever is swungto the right as'far as permitted by the-fixed stop 56. Thus through ourimproved control means, any desired proportioning of the stitch lengthin opposite directions of feeding may be obtained, and the feedingmechanism adjusted for stitch length in the manner disclosed in PatentNo. 2,035,508 without change in the proportioning determined by thesetting of said lever as above explained.

Having thus described'our invention, we claim:

1. In feed mechanism for sewing machines, a stitch length controllingdevice, means establishing limits for movements of said devicecorresponding to predetermined stitch lengths, said means comprisingcooperative stop members, one

of said members having an opening with edges means comprisingcooperative stop members, one

' of said members having an opening with edges disposed at an angletoeach other, and. the other stop member being relatively movable insaid opening and relatively adjustable toward and away from the apex ofsaid angle, and means indicating the stitch length determined by therelative adjustment of said members.

3. In reversible feed mechanism for sewing machines, a stitch lengthcontrol means comprising a control lever, a stop projection adjustablealong the lever, a fixed member having an opening with side edges at anangle to each other to function as abutments in cooperation with thestop projection on the control lever to variantly limit the movements ofthe latter to opposite sides of a central neutral position in respect tosaid opening, and means for adjusting the stop projection along thecontrol lever.

4. In reversible feed mechanism for sewing machines, stitch lengthcontrol means comprising a control lever, a stop projection movablealong the lever; a fixed member having an opening.

with side edges at an angle to each other to function as abutments incooperation with the stop projection on the control lever to variantlylimit the movements of the latter to opposite sides of a central neutralposition in respect to said opening, and means for adjusting the stopprojection along the control lever including a cam rotatively adjustableabout the fulcrum axis of said lever.

5. In reversible feed mechanism' for sewing machines, a stitch lengthcontrol means comprising a control lever, a. stop projection movablealong the length of the lever; a fixed member having an opening withside edges at an angle to' the lever, a fixed member having an openingwith side edges at an angle to each other to function as abutmentsincooperation with the stop projection on the control lever to variantlylimit the movements of the latter to opposite sides of a central neutralposition in respect to said opening,'means for adjusting the stopprojection along the lever including a cam rotatively adjustable aboutthe fulcrum axis of said lever, and a dial moved with the cam, said dialhaving graduations for coordination with a pointer to indicate stitchlengths corresponding to diflerent settings of the control means.

7. In reversible feed mechanism for sewing machines, stitch lengthcontrol means comprising a control lever; a lateral stop projectioncarried by a spring-pressed plunger pin shiftable endposition in respectto said opening, and a cam rotatably adjustable about the fulcrum axisof the control lever and operative to shift the spring pressed plungerpin carrying the movable stop projection.

8. In reversible feed mechanism for sewing machines, stitch lengthcontrol means comprising a control lever; a lateral stop projectioncarried by a spring-pressed plunger pin shiftable endwise longitudinallyof the control lever, a fixed memher 'having an opening with side edgesat an angle to each other to function as abutments in cooperation withthe stop projection on the control lever to variantly limit themovements of the latter to opposite sides of a central neutral positionin respect to said opening, and a cam rotatably adjustable about thefulcrum axis of the control lever and having a serrated circumferentialedge engaged by. a chisel edge at the lower end of the spring pressedplunger pin carrying the movable stop projection on said lever.

9. In reversible 'feed mechanism for sewing machines, a rotativelyshiftable regulating shaft, and control means for said shaft including acontrol lever, a stop projection movable along said control lever, afixed member having an opening therein with side edges disposed at anangle to each other to function as stops in cooperation with the stopprojection to limit the movements of the leverto opposite sides of acentral neutral position in respect to said opening.

10. In reversible feed .mechanism for sewing machines, a rotativelyshiftable regulating shaft, and control means for said shaft including acontrol lever, a stop projection movable along said control lever, afixed member having an opening therein with side edges disposed at anangle to each other to function as stops in cooperation with the stopprojection to limit the movements of the lever to opposite sides of acentral neutral position in respect to said opening, and clamp brakemeans frictionally engaging the regulating shaft to hold the stitchlength control against accidental disturbance in adjusted positions.

11. In feed mechanism for sewing machines, a stitch length controllingdevice comprising a control lever; and means establishing various limitsof movement for the control lever, including a stop member adjustablealong the length of said lever, and abutments 'to cooperate with thestop in all positions of adjustment of the latter, said abutments beingso arranged that the movement of the control lever is reduced as thestop is adjusted away from the fulcrum of the said lever.

12. In feed mechanism for sewing machines, a stitch length controllingdevice comprising a control lever; and means establishing various limitsof movement for the control lever, including a stop member adjustablealong the length of the lever, means coaxial with the fulcrum of saidlever for adjusting the stop, and abutments to cooperate with said stop.

13. In feed mechanism for sewing machines, a stitch length controllingdevice comprising a control lever; means establishing various limits ofmovement for the control lever including a stop adjustable along thelength of the lever, a member rotatable about the fulcrum axis of thelever for adjusting the position of the stop, means coordinated with theadjusting member to indicate the setting of the latter for stitchlengths, and abutments to cooperate with said stop.

14. In feed mechanism for sewing machines, a stitch length controllingdevice comprising a control lever; and means establishing various limitsof movement for the control lever including a stop member adjustablealong the length of the lever, a rotatable member coaxial with thefulcrum of said lever for adjusting the stop, a dial on therotatableadjusting member to indicate the setting of the stop accordingto stitch lengths, and abutments to cooperate'with said stop.

15. In feed mechanism for sewing machines, a regulating shaft; a controlshaft at an angle to the regulating shaft, lever arms independentlyposition to reverse the direction of feeding; and 10 means wherebydifferent neutral positions may be determined relative to the fixedabutments such that the swing of the lever in one direction in respectto neutral is greater than in the other,

with attendant determination of a long stitch 15 in one direction offeeding and a short stitch in the opposite direction of feeding.

17. In feeding mechanism for sewing machines, a control lever; fixedabutments between which the lever is swingable through a neutral posi-20 tion to reverse the direction of feeding; means whereby differentneutral positions may be determined relative to the fixed abutments suchthat the swing of the lever in one direction in respect to neutral isgreater than in the other, 25

with attendant determination of a long stitch in one direction offeeding and a short stitch in the opposite direction of feeding; andmeans where-- by the mechanism can be adjusted for stitch length withoutchange in the proportioning of'30 the stitching in opposite directionsof feeding under control of the lever.

GEORGE SAUER.

CLARENCE C. SMITH. 35

